Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-01


The accumulation Of private claims has always
been source OF annoyance to the House. During
this Congress there have been nearly 800 private
bills and resolutions referred to the Committee on
Claims. Probably not more than a dozen have
passed through Congress. The rest, just and un-
just alike, cannot be reached Mr.. Springer has
made report on the proposition to send all these
cases to the Court Of Claims for adjudication. He
urges the necessity OF relieving Congress OF all
these cases He says that the action OF Congress
in passing upon these claims is most unsatisfac-
tory; its conclusion u.s. in almost every case based
on ex parte evidence furnished by the claimant.
There are now pending before your committee
nearly 1000 bills and petitions. 1t Is estimated
that the number will reach 500 before the close
OF this Congress. Many OF these claims are only
for small amounts while others involve hundreds
OF thousands OF dollars. Nearly all OF them re-
9TIe Inc OF disputed taGt task
task from which Congress, in the interest Of JUS
tice and general Legislation, should be relieved.
The history OF past legislation shows that only
fraction over per cent. OF these bills introduced
for the relief of citizens for private and domestic
claims against the government, other than war
claims, ever pass Congress. 1t is practical denial
OF justice to the citizens having an honest claim
against the United States. Judging from the dis
position OF such bills in the past. there are now
more private and domestic claims against the
United States before your committee than will be
disposed OF in the next fifty years under the pres
ent system. The citizen who has an honest claim
against the government should not thus be trlfied
With; 1t is a mOckery OF justice.
Many OF these claims he says, have been before al.
most every Congress for quarter OF century a few
did service In the First Congress- and are now
prosecuted by the great grandchildren of the origi-
nal claimants. or the claims now pending before
your committee, many have been IavOrably con-
sidered in one Congress by one house, and in
another Congress by the other house, without
ever reaching the point OF final determination
by receiving the concurrent action OF both houses
In any Congress; while others which have been
rejected are again and again presented to Congress
after Congress 10 ike their chances in the legsla-
tive lottery.
The cost of printing and reprinting these bills
amounts to enough to pay OF great portion OF
them. Mr.. Springer shows that this cost during
the past twenty-five years was $40, 343 and dur
ing the Forty Eighth Congress alone s., 600. The
claimant comes and goes and dies, he says, leaving
his claim against the United States as legacy to
his children; for If the claimant does not belong
to the favored few, an ordinary lifetime Is far too
gress. II it is the policy OF Congress to have the
facts in each claim before passing upon the claim,
In order that the citizen, in reasonable time may
be paid that to which lie Is honestly entitled and
to insure the rejection OF claims without merit,
then Congress should, In the opinion Of your COM
mittee, pass this bill But II IT is the purpose to
continue these private claims from generation to
generation, obsJructing general legislation, then
there should be no change; for the mind OF man
would be at loss to suggest any other mode OF
procedure for passing upon private claims against
the government under the practical workings OF
which 80 little can be accomplished at 30 great an
expense as the present system. He recommends
that all these cases be sent to the courts